Hanoi or Saigon and why?

[xtreme]

Have not been to Saigon. The hustle bustle vibe in Hanoi. Good.


Pros and cons if you know both?

Context...for a 3 month to 'who knows how long' stay.

[YaTingPom]

I'd take my wife and kid to Hanoi then I can say to my wife "You are so Hanoing".

[hanno]

I've lived a few years in both cities. Personally, I prefer Hanoi, much prettier city with the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Biggest downside is the pollution in winter. It is regularly the most polluted city in the world. Also, Hanoians tend to be more reserved than their southern brethren.

I do like running paths along Saigon River, and some areas are nice. However, traffic in some parts of HCMC is murderous. Overall, the weather in HCMC is nicer, it can get bloody cold in Hanoi. Shopping, eating, and entertainment wise I'd say the two cities are about equal. The same is true for the number of scams.

[cabron]

I've lived a few years in both cities. Personally, I prefer Hanoi, much prettier city with the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Biggest downside is the pollution in winter. It is regularly the most polluted city in the world. Also, Hanoians tend to be more reserved than their southern brethren.

I do like running paths along Saigon River, and some areas are nice. However, traffic in some parts of HCMC is murderous. Overall, the weather in HCMC is nicer, it can get bloody cold in Hanoi. Shopping, eating, and entertainment wise I'd say the two cities are about equal. The same is true for the number of scams.

I agreed with you, HCMC climat is nicer.

[sigmoid]

Have not been to Saigon. The hustle bustle vibe in Hanoi. Good.


Pros and cons if you know both?

Context...for a 3 month to 'who knows how long' stay.

I'd say if you're going to stay long-term in Viet Nam, definitely consider avoiding these two humongous cities and living somewhere on the coast. Unfortunately, central VN gets hit with a number of typhoons/tropical storms every year but it still remains a popular region for expats. There's also Vung Tau (Geezerville) down south just a couple hours outside of Sai Gon but that's getting way overbuilt now.

Otherwise, you should just fly down to SGN and check it out to see for yourself. In comparison with Ha Noi, it's more "dynamic" and potentially more exciting. Also, I think the cathedral there looks better.

[Alex]

As you've been to Hanoi, but not to Saigon, it's a no-brainer in my opinion: Check out Saigon.

For a longterm stay, I'd check out a few more places. Personally, I like both Hanoi and Saigon for a visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[hanno]

Well, best place to live is Da Nang, hands down. There are few, if any, places I haven't been to in Vietnam, but if I had one place to pick, it would be Da Nang.

[Porbeagle]

Saigon by a mile. Warmer climate and warmer people. It's next to the Mekong Delta so benefits from that, ie ubiquitous tropical fruits and hot chicks. Some of the fruit may get to Hanoi but for some reason none of the hot chicks.

Hanoi is worth a trip, there are a few cool things to see but then you have already seen the sights there. There's not so much to see in Saigon but the general experience is nice imho, they do have the Viet Cong tunnels to see at Cu Chi and you could take an excursion into the Delta if you have the time.

Another benefit of Saigon if you are going from Phnom Penh is that you can catch the bus. It costs fuck all and it doesn't really take any longer than flying if you factor in the hours you spend in airports either end.

[xtreme]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions so far.

Is there a part of Saigon similar in vibe to the Lotte Center/Australian-Japan embassy area of Hanoi?

[xtreme]

Warmer climate and warmer people.... hot chicks.

Easier to get laid?